Gae Donna Ellery, 68, of Traverse City passed away peacefully January 20, 2022 at the Villa at Traverse Point. Gae was born on July 24, 1953 in Detroit, MI to the late Charles Thomas and Gaetan (Guillume) Ellery.
Gae was raised in Grosse Pointe where she enjoyed boating and skiing. She obtained her diploma from Grosse Pointe South High School. Her higher education was at Macomb Community College where she majored in Psychology.
Gae worked in Insurance helping folks with employee benefits for many years. She joined Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Michigan in 1973 as a sales representative serving their group customers, providing plan education and solving problems. She moved from Orchard Creek to Traverse City in 1998 and worked for HUB International Insurance. She later worked at Lighthouse Insurance Group, where she eventually retired in June of 2020. She loved helping people and was so good at her career.
Gae enjoyed traveling and experiencing different cultures. She appreciated eating a good meal with friends and laughter. She had an appreciation and love of antiques, especially brooches. Gae would hunt resale shops, estate and garage sales for that precious treasure. She knew so much about antiques and she had a knack for finding them at a good bargain. Gae found that rare and priceless piece that she looked for all her life. It is her Savior Jesus Christ.
Gae was a member of Bayview Wesleyan Church and was baptized the summer of 2021 in West Bay. She was part of the Tuesday Morning Ladies Prayer Group where she had made many dear friendships that she cherished deeply. Her time with the beautiful ladies there, are times she truly cherished. She would often surprise a friend with flowers….. just because. She was a sweet, thoughtful soul, one of a kind.
Gae was preceded in death by her parents, best friend and companion Don Butkovich, siblings William, Charles and her twin sister Roberta.
Gae is survived by her dear friend of 50 years Adrienne Peppler, her Goddaughter, Kendall Simpson, and a host of friends and loved ones.
Sometimes in your life you find that very rare treasure, that precious and loved piece that is irreplaceable. If you knew Gae and you called her friend…. you found that treasurer. We were blessed to know her, this side of Heaven! Her big heart, her smile and laugh will be missed by many. A victory in Heaven, for sure!!
A memorial service will be held on February 5th at First Christian Church, 3686 S Airport Rd W, Traverse City, MI 49684. There will be a visitation at Noon; Funeral at 1 PM with a luncheon to follow.